How We Invest
LeapFrog makes an impact through private equity investments in high-growth, purpose-driven businesses in some of the world’s fastest growing markets.
An investment by LeapFrog is a commitment to true partnership. We actively employ our knowledge and experience, along with our capital, to support the leadership teams and boards of the businesses we back. We help leaders and owners to meet their ambitious growth, profitability and impact targets.
Our Investment Strategy
MARKET OPPORTUNITY
Standing at nearly four billion in number globally, emerging consumers represent a large and significantly untapped customer base. Emerging markets’ share of global consumption is forecast to increase from 32% to 47% by 2025, fuelled by rapid growth of average incomes, with a spending power of US $30 trillion by that same year.
SPECIALIST EXPERTISE
LeapFrog drives hands-on operational engagement at and beyond the company board level, including designing new products, advising on pricing, building out systems infrastructure and rapidly scaling new digital-based distribution channels. LeapFrog is able to do this because of the unique operational and management experience of our team.
ESTABLISHED FOOTPRINT
LeapFrog focuses on high-growth markets in Africa and South and Southeast Asia. These regions are the focus of our strategy because of the scale and growth in these markets, and because they are regions where our team has lived and worked for 16 years on average. Our Investment Team uses its deep local professional and personal networks to bring a distinctive angle in sourcing and assessing investment opportunities.
PROFIT WITH PURPOSE
With a focus on the emerging consumer and with integrated financial and social goals, LeapFrog is well-positioned to invest in the rise of a new emerging consumer class. Our portfolio increases access to financial services and healthcare in markets where these sectors are heavily underpenetrated; for example, insurance penetration averages just 3% and access to modern medication less than 30% in emerging markets.
Deal Sourcing
Our experienced deal teams include former CEOs and senior executives from emerging markets, financial services and healthcare, who have a deep understanding of both the potential and pitfalls of these sectors and markets.
Value Creation
We have a team of value creation specialists who lend deep operational and management expertise to our partner companies. They share their skills and knowledge across a range of business functions.
Exit
Once we have set a partner company on an unassailable path to growth and impact, we take a responsible approach to exiting our investments. Whether we exit via an IPO, a trade sale, a sale back to a partner, or a management buyout, we look to leave an enduring legacy of Profit with Purpose.
Our Investment Framework
STRATEGY & GOVERNANCE
Utilising our operational insights, we help our partner companies create business strategies and governance structures that encompass financial and social performance.
CORE OPERATIONS
Employing our management
expertise, we help structure the
efficiency and effectiveness of core
operations within our partner
companies.
SALES & DISTRIBUTION
Bringing to bear our technical know-
how, we help partner companies
integrate new technologies with
traditional approaches.
PRODUCT, PRICING & REVENUE
Leveraging our internal knowledge,
we help our partner companies
design affordable, relevant and
quality products for emerging
consumers.
TECHNOLOGY & DATA
Tapping our deep experience, we
imbed technology and data
capabilities into our partner
companies, improving performance
and customer experience.
HR & TALENT MANAGEMENT
Drawing on our global networks we
help our partner companies recruit,
retain and attract world-class senior
talent.
AsiaValue Creation in Action
STRATEGY & GOVERNANCE
LeapFrog creates business strategies, governance structures, strategic planning, and financial and social performance management.
Example
LeapFrog helped miLife Insurance implement best practice governance, reporting and risk management.
CORE OPERATIONS
LeapFrog helps to structure the efficiency and effectiveness of core operations and processes.
Example
LeapFrog helped Goodlife optimise procurement and supply chain management functions, including sourcing new import partners and retendering supplier contracts.
SALES & DISTRIBUTION
LeapFrog brings deep technical expertise in sales and distribution, integrating new technologies with traditional approaches.
Example
LeapFrog helped ARM Life develop and implement an in-depth retail strategy.
PRODUCT, PRICING & REVENUE
LeapFrog designs affordable, relevant and quality products, built with the emerging consumer at the center.
Example
LeapFrog helped BIMA design and rollout a 70¢/mo hospital cover product, now in 8 markets.
TECHNOLOGY & DATA
LeapFrog creates technology and data strategies and capabilities for higher performance in core operations and enhances customer experience.
Example
LeapFrog helped Mahindra embed mobile technology into sales, marketing, and claims functions.
HR & TALENT MANAGEMENT
LeapFrog supports recruitment, retention and development of world-class senior talent, drawing on our global networks.
Example
LeapFrog runs our multi-stage Talent Accelerator Initiative for portfolio companies to improve staff outcomes.
Case studies from our portfolio
Leapfrog INITIATIVES
Talent Accelerator
View ProgramOur industry-first talent development programme to elevate executives and managers of our partner companies.
CX Insights
View ProgramOur insights lab conducts research into emerging market consumer behaviour feed actionable intelligence to our partner companies.
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